‘No vending’ policy on Bacolod streets begins

BACOLOD City – A “no vending” policy is now observed from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight on Amelia and Mercedes streets at Libertad Market.

The city government’s Market Coordinating and Monitoring Task Force has enforced the policy after a series of public consultations conducted since last year, according to Executive Assistant Ernesto Pineda.

Pineda, who heads the task force, said clearing operations were also conducted on the streets before the policy was implemented to ease traffic flow.

The vendors are now only allowed to do business on the streets after 12 midnight to 6 a.m.

The task force also removed garbage bins at Libertad and Burgos markets to encourage vendors to segregate their trash, in line with the city’s “no segregation, no collection” policy.

In late 2018 and early this year, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) de-clogged the drainage at Libertad Market.

The clogged canals were due to improper disposal of garbage – most of which plastic – according to the CDRRMO.

Pineda said they already tapped the Amelia-Mercedes Vendors Association to monitor its erring members.

They also requested the Bacolod City Police Office to deploy personnel in the area.

Meanwhile, vendors at Burgos Market are only allowed to do business on streets from 4 p.m. to 9 a.m., provided that they set up their stalls a meter away from Burgos Street’s gutter and three meters from Daniel Ramos Street’s gutter./PN